By Anthony A. Araos
Have you ever wondered why many youngsters are into trekking activities here and abroad? Obviously, they are so much in love with trekking. There are so many reasons for trekkers to triple their numbers in just a matter of time. Experts say trekking keeps a person physically fit. At most, emotionally and mentally fit too.
I was asked recently by five friends from the University of the Philippines Cebu on possible places in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for them to trek this December during their Christmas vacation. I told them to visit Sagada in Mountain Province or Ifugao- particularly in barangay Piwong in Hingyon town.
I am not recommending this specific portion of the village without ample basis.
Sitio El Paso is a wonderfully blessed place for trekkers. From the main highway, it is an uphill climb on a well-paved road leading to Piwong Elementary School.
If only municipal government officials opt to construct a good road from the school site to the old gymnasium, then there would be no more problems for the people.
I once went trekking in Abilene, Texas in the United States. I had a strange belief that I would not last for ten kilometers. At the end of the trail, I shouted: “Thanks, Almighty Creator, I made it!”
There’s a growing buzz about what is going on at the so-called Kingdom of Hingyon. I found this stretch of road too challenging which made me now on the lookout for more. I hope to stumble for another one soon.
The fact that Governor Pedro Mayam-o, top officials and a vast number of employees at the provincial capitol building are from Hingyon, the town is now an extremely important place to visit, make it even more by identifying and developing trekking paths for the tourism industry.
At long last, there’s another good reason to visit this largely farming town.
It goes without saying that Hingyon stands to gain if the tourism industry is further strengthened. There can never be a shortage of destinations in Hingyon or elsewhere in the province. Stay in Piwong, Mompolia or some other villages to understand this. Rural Hingyon will easily take the style of a vintage period calling into mind the unspoiled landscape the Philippines is known for.
So for enthusiasts out there, here’s my advice: Have strong feet, will trek!
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The gates of the provincial capitol building in Lagawe, Ifugao are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The all-important Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) is situated here and operates seven days a week. It actually operates 24 hours a day!
It defies common sense to claim that there is nothing wrong in this. The operational practice has a serious flaw. I’m questioning its practicality if and when a disaster (like a killer earthquake) occurs, belying a long-held intent of the PDRRMO to respond to an emergency at the quickest time.
The PDRRMO has always been taken to task for handling critical situations, resulting in deaths.
The general rule is to provide the PDRRMO personnel an unimpeded access through these gates. Hindering their travel movement must never be allowed to take place.
Thus, an argument that for its non-closure is to invite robbers to enter and ransack offices there should be irrelevant. In the first place, there are security guards in the building. At one time, I saw a lone security guard at the main entrance. Definitely not enough! Governor Mayam-o should anchor the presumption of safeguarding the provincial capitol building on adding more security guards instead of closing the gates. Deployment of some policemen and Barangay Poblacion South tanod (watchmen) personnel as an additional security and precautionary measure at the building is called for.
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The Filipino people have every reason to rejoice on the 28th National Statistics Month celebration program in October. I praised the Philippine Statistics Office (PSO) for spearheading some noteworthy activities such as putting up the Statistical Display booth.
At the Atrium of the provincial capitol building, I saw several revealing statistical information about the province.
For instance, the capital town of Lagawe was listed as a fourth-class municipality. So I asked ten employees (who are from Lagawe) of the provincial government on how to improve the town’s economy. Seven said: “I don’t know. Two uttered: “I don’t care.” The other replied: “Please ask another question.”
On the other hand, a graph on Ifugao’s public elementary school enrollment showed rates plummeted significantly by as much as 4%. This reflects a big number of dropouts- youngsters who are no longer in school, possibly for good- or should I say for bad. I am so curious. Why? When public school education is free?
It would have been great if all those who designed the activity have conducted a forum to better enlighten the people on the merits of knowing, understanding, interpreting and appreciating the statistical information being presented.
If they can spend so much for a motorcade to help build interest for their activity, then why not hold a forum to better guide the people.
There is no doubt that statistics are very important. Let’s face it. The PSO shall conduct its 29th Statistics Month celebration program by October of next year. The proponent was perhaps the “best purveyor of statistical data” without teeth because its figures were hardly explained, which meant that whatever numbers disclosed were meaningless.
I got a grade of flat 1 in my statistics subject. Yet, my professor quipped: “That is utterly useless if you can’t interpret statistical information and apply it to improve the lives of the people!”
Sadly, after the statistical display booth was set up, no one bothered to see it. Suggestion: Invite high school and college students to drop by and take a serious look at these statistics. Ask them to submit a reaction paper!
The challenge is to amplify these statistical figures to raise awareness on the ill-effects of mounting poverty in the country. These figures are especially significant when seen in light of the fact that a vast majority of Filipinos have been left behind and continue to struggle with poverty, hunger and unemployment.
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The London-based Time Higher Education (THE) revealed recently that the University of the Philippines (UP) has improved its rating in world university rankings.
UP- the only Philippine university in the 2017 list- was ranked between 601 to 800, one level higher than for the previous year’s 800+ ranking.
University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, both in the United Kingdom, ranked first and second, respectively. The National University of Singapore is the best university in Asia, ranking 22nd along with the University of Toronto in Canada.
That’s the situation even when former President Noynoy Aquino slashed the state university’s budget during his tenure.
So even under such trying conditions, UP succeeded in not just getting the best and brightest students in the country but, also in expanding educational opportunities for the youth. UP, after all, has the distinction of being the bastion of molding the mind of a thinker to be critical and scientific, one who has the background of seeking truth and knowledge to better bring about change. By the same token, UP is known as a pillar of honor and excellence.
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My condolence to Kiangan Mayor Joselito Guyguyon and other relatives for the untimely demise of his father, former Board Member Jose Guyguyon. My prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.
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For our food delights corner: Don’t wait for Christmas to bring out the great taste of Paella on the table for your family, loved ones or friends.
Match it with king crabs, rice and cream of mushroom soup. A meal that has proven so popular it has become the favorite dish in Metro Manila and Central Philippines. For appetizers: cassava cake, fruit salad and chilled mango juice.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Be involved in the larger community outside your campus. It shows that you care, that you are versatile, and that you want to make a difference.” A quote from the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago
“Behold, now is a very acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2
“In the Philippines, the Social Security system is still relatively weak as a support institution. The reason is that the contributions are based on rules that apply on relatively low incomes of workers and salary earners. As a result, the social security fund thus generated can only provide a steam low pension payments.” Noted economist Gerardo P. Sicat **
